Collections

Derek and Adam organize their state quarters

Tuesday July 6, 2010

Derek and Adam have various collections of coins, comic books, baseball cards, football cards, etc. I gave them my old comic books, baseball cards, and football cards and my dad gave them his old coin collection. The boys enjoy going through the collections from time to time and then search the internet to see what the items are worth. We have been saving state quarters and this summer the boys finally got a booklet holder to organize the quarters. It seems they are still missing Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

July 4th

Sunday July 4, 2010

We were still bummed about Chamblee doing their fireworks on the 3rd instead of the 4th, but at least it did provide us with the time to finally use all the fireworks we've accumulated over the years. Derek was always asking us when we could shoot off our fireworks, but we would always say that it wasn't a convenient time.

It turned into a big culdesac party when another family brought out their fireworks and then a couple other families joined in when they got home from their July 4th outings.

Peachtree Road Race

Light breakfast and out of the house by 6

Helen brings the boys later, but not late enough for them

All clear up...

...and down Peachtree Street

Finally Daddy appears

Not everyone runs - this group walks beneath their beer flag

Norcross July 3rd

Adam is still a fan of jumpy jumps

Paizanos (brick building) for pizza and Guinness is my traditional pre-Peachtree Road Race meal

Derek and Adam race up one of the inflatables

The masses gather for fireworks

Adam looking to throw some snap and pops

Adam finds a nice soft place on Helen to watch the fireworks

Saturday July 3, 2010

Our July 4th tradition is to go to the Norcross 4th celebration, which they typically do on July 3rd, and then go to the Chamblee celebration on the 4th. For some reason, Chamblee decided to do theirs on the 3rd this year. We didn't know that until we heard some friends at the Norcross celebration mention that Chamblee was doing theirs on the same night.

We were bummed out. It never occurred to us to even check. I had to call my mom, who usually meets us at the Chamblee celebration, and tell her the news. The Norcross celebration is OK and we see lots of friends and neighbors, but the Chamblee fireworks display is much better and we look forward to it.

Adam's Garden

Wednesday June 30, 2010

More catchup from the summer.

Adam seems to really enjoy growing things. He's always saving seeds from the food he eats so that he can plant them later. We think a career in the outdoors away from the hustle and bustle is something that will appeal to him. His wants are simple and he likes to take things at a very measured pace.

This summer Helen and Adam made a small garden using hay bales. The garden is doing just OK given the relentless heat this summer, but Adam is not deterred and enjoys going out to water and tend to his plants. He was very excited about some small pumpkins that were growing, but then something ate them. There are plenty of deer, squirrels, and rabbits around to thwart even the most diligent gardener.

Adam's Braces

Tuesday June 29, 2010

Adam continues his orthodontic odyssey with braces. It's not a full set of braces - just on the front top teeth and they're more to shift his teeth rather than straighten them. He's had a palette expander for a year or so and the braces are to shift the teeth to align with his expanded palette.

I remember going in after a dental cleaning when Adam was about 4 and the dental technician kind of laughed and said we better start planning because Adam was going to need a lot of orthodontic work due to his small mouth. Just what you want to hear.

Lindsay's 4th Birthday Party

Lindsay - the birthday girl



Adam and cousin Brooke

Lindsay and Brooke taking it easy on the steps

Everybody's ready for Little Mermaid cake



Derek and Brooke


Helen and her dad get a closer look at the beautiful garden

Pinata time

Sunday June 27, 2010

Our neice, Lindsay, had a Little Mermaid pool party for her 4th birthday. Missy, a family friend, graciously hosted the party at her beautiful house. It's a great setup for entertaining. I enjoyed talking with Missy's father about all the improvements they've done to the property and about his interesting career at Kimberly Clark corporation. Derek and Adam had a great time playing in the pool and thought it was pretty fun for a Little Mermaid girl birthday party.